Diagnosis and management of interstitial pneumonitis associated with interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C

Interstitial pneumonitis(IP) is an uncommon pulmonary complication associated with interferon(IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection.Pneumonitis can occur at any stage of HCV treatment,ranging from 2 to 48 wk,usually in the first 12 wk.Its most common symptoms are dyspnoea,dry cough,fever,fatigue,arthralgia or myalgia,and anorexia,which are reversible in most cases after cessation of IFN therapy with a mean subsequent recovery time of 7.5 wk.Bronchoalveolar lavage in combination with chest high resolution computed tomography has a high diagnostic value.Prompt discontinuation of medication is the cornerstone,and corticosteroid therapy may not be essential for patients with mild-moderate pulmonary functional impairment.The severity of pulmonary injury is associated with the rapid development of IP.We suggest that methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by low dose prednisolone for a short term is necessary to minimize the risk of fatal pulmonary damage if signs of significant pulmonary toxicity occur in earlier stage.Clinicians should be aware of the potential pulmonary complication related to the drug,so that an early and opportune diagnosis can be made.

A case of interstitial pneumonitis in a patient with ulcerative colitis treated with azathioprine

The early hypersensitivity reaction and late bone marrow depression are well-known side-effects of azathioprine, whereas interstitial pneumonia is a rare complication. A 40-year old male patient had been treated with azathioprine in consequence of extensive ulcerative colitis for 10 years. He then complained of 7 d of fever, cough and catarrhal signs, without symptoms of active colitis. Opportunistic infections were ruled out. The chest X-ray, CT and lung biopsy demonstrated the presence of interstitial inflammation. Azathioprine therapy was discontinued as a potential source of the pulmonary infiltrate. In response to steroid therapy, and intensive care, the pulmonary infiltrate gradually decreased within 4 wk. Three months later, his ulcerative colitis relapsed, and ileo-anal pouch surgery was performed. In cases of atypical pneumonia, without a proven infection, azathioprine-associated interstitial pneumonitis may be present, which heals after withdrawal of the drug.

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONITIS FOLLOWING ALLOGENEIC PERIPHERAL BLOOD STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION

Objective： To explore the risk factors and prophylaxis and treatment of cytomegalovirus interstitial pneumonitis （CMV-IP） after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation （allo-PBSCT）. Methods： 43 patients who received allo-PBSCT were allocated to either a Gancyclovir（GCV）-prophylaxis group （n=19） or a non-GCV prophylaxis group （n=24）. A comparison was made of the incidence of CMV-IP in patients given or not given prophylactic gancyclovir. Results： 9 patients in non-GCV prophylaxis group developed late CMV-IP （P〈0.05）. Graft-versus-host-disease （GVHD） may be associated with a high risk of CMV-IP. 5 cases of CMV-IP were successfully treated with GCV, but 3 cases died of CMV-IP. The most common adverse event of GCV was neutropenia, but was reversible. Conclusion： CMV infection was a major cause of interstitial pneumonitis after allo-PBSCT, which correlated strongly with the severity of GVHD. Gancyclovir was shown to be effective in both prophylaxis and treatment of CMV-IP.

Clinical study of sirolimus-associated interstitial pneumonitis in kidney transplant recipients

Objective To studt the sirolimus ( SRL) - associated interstitial pneumonitis,which is a severe side effect of sirolimus therapy. Methods In 7 renal grafts treated with SRL,interstitial pneumonitis ( 8 times) was diagnosed. One patient suffered a relapse after

THE STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING AND TREATING IN-FECTION OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

In bone marrow transplantation (BMT), cytomegalovirus (CMV) interstitial pneumonitis (IP) is one of the most dangerous complications, which has been the first important cause to lead the failure of BMT. At present, there is no effective and specific therapy for CMVIP, therefore how to prevent CMV infection effectively is a top task. From 1991 to 1996, we used comprehensive steps to prevent CMVIP in BMT, and none of 14 patients developed CMVIP. The preventing results that we achieved by using the steps were quite satisfied.

STUDY ON DETERMINATION AND APPLICATION OF THE SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES TO CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

using enzymellnked lmmunosorheut assay (ELlsA), we had determined the speclrlc antibodies of IgM and lgA to CMV In 14 patients with BAT, 36 marrow donors and 682 blood donorsfrom 1991 to 1996. The antibodies detected were negative in 14 patients, 16. 16% POsitive in marrowdonors and 34. 31 % in blood donors respectively. These resultS suggested that there was a higher active or recent CMV Inrectlou in blood donors in XI'an area. In order to prevent transfusion-acquiredCMV infectlony it is nessessary ror us to screen out negative CMV antibodies donors in BAT, whichhas great value for clinical application.